Language Arts
Reading - I will present a combination of reading strategies to the students including phonics, word recognition, and literature based learning. Classroom instruction will include independent, small group, and whole group learning experiences. Readers will be sent home regularly. Please read with your child. This year there will be a focus on having students read silently to themselves.
Language - The students will be exposed to many different language rules concerning grammar, usage, and mechanics. These rules will be taught and applied in reading and writing.
Spelling - The Spelling words I choose each week are based on a list of words created from research done by Rebecca Sitton. Spelling will be practiced through games and writing activities throughout the week. We will have spelling tests. However, a large part of the spelling grade will come from use of these words in writing. Spelling tests are only one part of the spelling grade. Once a word has been tested, the students will be held accountable for that word in their writing.
Phonics - The Rebecca Sitton curriculum will also guide my phonics focus each week. We will practice phonetic rules and use them in our reading and writing.
Writing - There will be opportunities for free writing and times to practice particular writing styles during the school year. Your child will be encouraged to use “invented spellings” (i.e. ‘bcz’ for because and ‘skl’ for school) on words that have not been covered in the Spelling curriculum. I will not correct errors on rough drafts, prewrites, or free writing assignments but will ask students to interpret their writing when needed. Studies have shown that when students are worried about spelling words correctly, the flow of ideas becomes inhibited. Spelling will be emphasized when editing a paper for a final copy to be displayed.
Handwriting - The D’Nealian Handwriting Method will be used this year. The first semester will be spent polishing handwriting form learned in first grade. During the second semester cursive writing will be introduced.

Math
We will be using the Houghton Mifflin Math Text this year. This is our newly adopted Math textbook. The Houghton Mifflin Math Text supports LISD’s matrix of skills at each grade level. It is a challenging and exciting program.
Facts - Addition and subtraction facts are also important. In second grade our goal is for your child to have quick recall of the facts 0 - 18 without using manipulatives (fingers, toes, chips, etc.). We will begin having fact tests very soon. I will expect students to study for these just like a spelling test. I expect students to practice these facts at home. At the end of each nine weeks, I will average the grades from all fact tests for that nine weeks, and the average will count as one math grade.
Beginning multiplication facts will be introduced as the year progresses.
CGI - Cognitively Guided Instruction - I have been trained in this research based problem solving technique and will supplement Houghton Mifflin Math with this instruction. The CGI approach is a problem solving approach which allows students to find strategies that work for themselves and share their ideas with others. This promotes ownership of the knowledge and reinforces communication of Math skills.
PACE Math - This year I will teach the PACE Math class. If your child is not in PACE class he/she will be sent to another second grade classroom for math times. All of our second grade teachers will use the same textbooks to present their concepts this year.

Science/Social Studies
Themes - Our Science and Social Studies themes will drive my curriculum. The topic we are studying will determine some of the stories we read, the content of our math problems, and the sentences we practice writing. This will tie our activities together and give learning more meaning. Some Science units we will study include balance and motion, spiders, space, matter, and weather. Some Social Studies units we will study include maps, Texas, and famous Americans.

Readers Club
Book It is a program sponsored by Pizza Hut. This is a five month program which begins in October. Each classroom will set a goal for the month. Each student who reads the correct number of books will earn a personal pan pizza every month they meet our goal. If all the students in the class meet the goal for four out of five months, the class earns a pizza party.

Seatwork
Your child is learning how to be responsible for his/her own work. Seatwork is completed independently by each student after directions have been given. I expect each student to work to the best of his/her ability and allow other students the opportunity to do the same.

Book Clubs
Throughout the year, I will send home newsletters from various book clubs to give you and your child the chance to purchase books. If you wish to participate in ordering books at that time, please return the order forms with your child’s name on it and a check for the correct amount made out to the book club. Each book club requires its own check.

Newsletters
I will post a newsletter every Monday on our website with pertinent information including upcoming events, homework for the week, and information about our curriculum. This is an important means of communication about what is happening in our classroom. Please be sure to check it every week.

Water Bottles
Water bottles in the classroom need to be small plastic bottles with screw on lids. Sports bottles are best. These prevent spills in the classroom. Remember, water only will be allowed. Please do not freeze your child’s water bottle. The condensation makes a mess on the desks.

Snacks
Time is provided each afternoon for a snack. If your child would like a snack, please send him/her one. Some suggestions are: crackers, popcorn, dry cereal, fruit bars, cheese, fruit, or veggie sticks. Please do not send high sugar content snacks or candy.

Show-N-Tell
The student of the week is the only student with an official show-n-tell time each week. However, if your child would like to bring an item that is relevant to what we are studying, I will make time during the day for him/her to share.

Walking Across America
This year the elementary students and teachers are walking daily for 7 minutes. These 7 minutes, in addition to minutes in physical education class, count toward the state required 135 minutes weekly of moderate to vigorous physical activity and foster a healthy attitude toward daily physical activity and exercise.